What image comes to mind when you hear the word “leader”?
For so many people, the word “leader” conjures up negative images of people who were in a leadership position over them, but never really brought the best out of them.
Most of us need image replacement therapy!
We need new images of what healthy Biblical leadership looks like!
If we look at Jesus, we’ll see the body language of a healthy leader…
An Ear ~ To Listen
Jesus asked 183 questions in the four Gospels. Not because He lacked information, but because He valued interaction. Jesus interacted with, and listened to, the people that He led. Great leaders are great listeners, and great listeners ask great questions.
Don’t get me wrong, Jesus did not lead by popular vote! He led people by earning people’s trust, and listening builds trust for leadership.
A Shoulder ~ To Lean On
Jesus compared His leadership to an ancient device used to lighten the load on an animal. Healthy leaders do NOT dump on their people or unload on their followers. Instead, like Jesus, they bear the burdens of those they lead!!!
A Hand ~ To Lift You
Jesus had dirty hands. He reached down and lifted up people who stumbled and fell. After Peter had denied Jesus three times, he gave up on his own leadership and went back to his old life of fishing. Jesus met Him at that place, reached out and lifted him back up, restoring Peter’s life and leadership. John 21:15-25 shows Jesus lifting up, NOT putting down, one of His fallen followers!
Sadly, all too often leaders punish those who fail them. Unhealthy leaders retaliate by withholding good, shaming, or by failing to lift up and restore fallen followers.
An Eye ~ To Cast Vision
Jesus was the Master Vision-Caster. He constantly painted a picture for His followers of God’s vision and perspective. Healthy leaders lead with the Bible! People need to see what God sees, understand what God is up to, and enter into what God is doing. Just as a gold fish grows to the size of its bowl, followers grow into the size of the vision cast for them. Jesus modeled how BIG vision develops BIG followers.
A Foot ~ To Move You
Honestly, what most of us need more than anything, is a swift kick in the pants from a trusted leader (in Christian love, of course). Jesus often put His foot in the small of His followers backs and gave them a gentle nudge. Jesus demonstrated that healthy leadership means nudging people out of complacency and into mission (Matthew 10:1-42).
A Heart ~ To Love You
Jesus loved His followers, and they knew it! They knew it because He prayed over them, He patiently instructed them, He lovingly corrected them, and He always gave His time to them. Healthy leaders love those they lead by giving them ~ time, attention, affirmation, direction, perspective, and prayer support. If you’re being led well, you are being loved well, because leaders love those they lead.
I’m trying my best to allow Jesus to lead through me in this same way. As a result, two times in the last 24 hours I’ve had people tell me, “this is the first time anyone has ever taken the time to lead me like this.” I’ll never be a perfect leader, but I can be a healthy leader growing into Christ.
I am a Missional Leader and Community Life Pastor. This blog is a place for people who're interested in learning to HEAR God, FOLLOW Christ, and / or LEAD others. Everything here is my own opinion, meant to help you wake up to God's dream for your life. 
